By
Alex Smith |
Australian shipbuilder Austal will design and construct a new 115 metre high-speed catamaran for Danish operator Molslinjen in a €83.7 million (US $92.8 million) contract.
The new Auto Express 115 will be the largest ferry by volume ever built by Austal. The vessel will be fitted with new medium speed engines that are LNG compatible, designed with the potential to upgrade to the fuel in the future.
The order follows the delivery of the high-speed catamaran Express 4 to Molslinjen in January 2019. Construction will begin in the third quarter of 2020 and delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.
“To be designed in Henderson over a 12 month period and then built at our state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility in Balamban in the Phillipines, the catamaran will feature Austal’s signature raked bow and optimised hull form, and an LNG-capable medium-speed power plant that offers a powerful yet economical and environmentally friendly solution,” said David Singleton, CEO of Austal. “Express 5 will provide Molslinjen with a truly exciting high-speed craft that will deliver a unique customer experience.”
The new ship will have capacity for 1,610 passengers and 450 cars over two vehicle decks, with an operating speed of around 37 knots. The vessel will operate on Molslinjen’s route from the Danish mainland to the island of Bornholm, between the ports of Ystad and Rønne, from early 2022. Onboard, the ferry will feature reclining seats, wi-fi, a bistro and bar, children’s play area and several audio-visual screens.